Hey guys, Equestrian Fabric
Let’s cut to the chase—if you’re an equestrian who’s ever stared at a frayed saddle pad edge, a worn stable blanket corner, or that riding breech pocket that’s split for the third time, you’ve thought, “Wait, can I just make my own stuff with equestrian fabric?” As someone who’s spent the last 7 years running an equestrian fabric supplier (you know, the one with the rolls of stuff that’s actually made for our sport, not cheap outdoor nylon from the big box store), I get it. I’ve had customers DM me at 2 a.m. asking if they can turn their custom fabric rolls into their next favorite gear, and it’s a question way more people should be asking than they are.
First off, let’s not beat around the bush: yes, you can make your own equestrian products with fabric—no fancy degree required, no secret hacks (okay, maybe a couple small ones, but we’ll get to that). But it’s not just grabbing any random waterproof canvas or stretchy jersey from your local craft store. Equestrian gear has specific needs that regular fabric doesn’t account for—so if you’re using stuff you picked up off a shelf, you’re gonna run into problems. That’s where my side of things comes in: I source and test fabrics designed for exactly this use case, because let’s be real, a saddle pad that falls apart mid-competition is worse than no saddle pad at all.
Let’s start with the basics. What equestrian products can you actually make with fabric? Let’s list the obvious ones first, but some people sleep on these: saddle pads (obv, but not just the basic kind—you can make custom shaped ones for your horse’s back), stable wraps, tail bags, even custom saddle covers. Then there’s stuff for you: riding breeches (stretchy, durable ones that don’t ride down mid-trot), glove liners, sun shirts that actually wick sweat instead of leaving you soaked, even those little storage pouches for your show number pins or hoof picks. I’ve had a few customers make custom hay bags too—turns out, a heavy-duty, breathable fabric is way better than a flimsy grocery bag that tears after two uses.
Now, why using equestrian-specific fabric (the stuff I supply, fwiw) matters so much more than craft store fabric. Let’s talk science here, but in the laid-back way I explain it to my regulars. First, breathability. Horses have really sensitive backs, right? If your saddle pad is made of that vinyl-like waterproof crap from Walmart, it traps moisture, leads to saddle sores, and your horse is gonna hate having you on its back. Equestrian fabric is usually a blend—like polyester with a micro-mesh lining, or a cotton-poly blend that’s treated with a water-repellent finish but still lets air flow. I test every roll I stock by leaving a piece on a damp towel for an hour—if the other side is dry, it’s good for saddle pads. Craft store canvas? That’s usually 100% cotton, which gets heavy when wet, molds, and takes forever to dry. Not ideal for a horse that’s sweating through its coat after a 5-mile ride.
Then there’s durability. Equestrian gear takes a beating. Your saddle pad is rubbing against a metal saddle every step, your stable blanket is getting stepped on by a 1,000-pound horse, your breeches are scraping against a fence post when you mount. The equestrian fabric I supply has a tear strength test we do in-house—we measure how much force it takes to rip a 1×1 inch piece. Most craft store fabric is around 5 lbs of force; my heavy-duty stuff is around 25 lbs. That’s the difference between a breech that splits at the knee after three rides and one that lasts a season. Plus, we treat it with UV protection, which is huge if you’re leaving your saddle cover or stable blanket outside all day—regular fabric fades and gets brittle in a month, ours lasts years.
Wait, what about stretchy stuff? If you wanna make custom breeches or glove liners, you don’t want a stiff canvas. Equestrian stretch fabric is different from regular athletic jersey, too. It’s usually a spandex-poly blend with a four-way stretch that doesn’t bag out after a few wears, and it has a little bit of grip so your breeches don’t slide down when you’re posting. I’ve had a customer who’s a beginner rider make her first pair of breeches with my stretch fabric—she texted me last month saying they’re still her go-to, even after 12 rides. Contrast that with a friend of mine who tried using regular athletic fabric for breeches—she ripped the knee out on her first jump, and it was so baggy around the thighs she could fit an extra leg in there. Not a good look, and definitely not functional for riding.
Okay, so you’ve picked your fabric (thank me later for that tip) and you’ve got your pattern. Now, what’s the process actually like? Let’s break it down for someone who’s never sewn anything before, not just the pros. First, pick a simple product to start with—don’t jump into a custom saddle pad right away. Try a tail bag or a storage pouch first. Those are small, have straight seams, and don’t need a ton of specialized hardware. For tail bags, my customers usually use a medium-weight equestrian fabric, add a little Velcro strap to fasten it around the dock, and a mesh panel at the bottom so the tail can breathe. Easy peasy, no fancy tools needed—just a sewing machine that can handle medium to heavy fabric (most basic ones can, but if you’re using super heavy stuff, you might want a denim needle. Pro tip: I sell those too, just saying).
If you’re a little more experienced, saddle pads are a next-level move. The key here is fitting it to your horse’s back—every horse has a different shape, so you might need to adjust the pattern a little. My regulars who make their own saddle pads usually use a two-layer setup: a bottom layer of breathable mesh (we stock that too) and a top layer of durable fabric, sometimes with a little padding in between if you want extra cushion. Avoid thick foam from craft stores— it gets compressed over time, and it’s hard to clean. Equestrian saddle pad fabric is designed to have just enough give without losing its shape. Also, don’t forget the girth groove cutout! That’s the part that goes over your horse’s withers, and if you don’t cut that right, it’ll rub the wrong spot. I’ve seen so many people skip that and end up with a saddle pad that sits lopsided.
Wait, common mistakes to avoid, because I’ve seen ’em all. First, using the wrong fabric for the job. Like, don’t use a super stretchy mesh for a stable blanket— it’ll get torn in no time. Don’t use a heavy canvas for a sun shirt— it’ll be too hot, and you’ll be sweating through it faster than a show judge grading a cross-course course. Second, not pre-washing your fabric before sewing. I know, I know, pre-washing is a drag, but equestrian fabric shrinks— a lot— if you don’t. I had a customer once who made a saddle pad, didn’t pre-wash it, washed it once, and it was three inches too small. Had to make a whole new one. Waste of time and fabric. Third, cheap hardware. If you’re adding Velcro, snaps, or buckles, don’t get the craft store stuff. Equestrian gear needs hardware that can handle weight— a Velcro strip that holds a tail bag is fine, but a saddle pad that’s pulling against your saddle needs heavy-duty Velcro (we stock that too, just so you know). That craft store Velcro? It’ll fall apart after a few washes, and you’ll be chasing your tail bag around the stable.
Also, let’s talk about customization. That’s the big reason people do this, right? You can match your gear to your horse’s color, or your show team’s colors, or add your barn’s logo. Wait, can you print on equestrian fabric? Hell yes. I have a guy who makes custom saddle pads for show teams— he uses my blank fabric, prints the team’s logo on it, and sells them to other riders. The fabric is treated so the print doesn’t fade when you wash it, which is way better than regular fabric that the print bleeds all over after two washes. You can also dye it— my customers have dyed white equestrian fabric a deep navy or hunter green, and it holds up way better than regular cotton dye. No splotches, no fading, even after multiple washes.
Wait, what about care? I don’t wanna tell you how to wash your stuff, but equestrian fabric is easy to care for. Most of it is machine washable on cold, tumble dry on low— no dry cleaning needed. The water-repellent treatment holds up for years, too, as long as you don’t use harsh detergents (skip the fabric softener, by the way— it clogs the pores in the fabric and makes it less breathable). I’ve had a customer who’s been washing her custom breeches made from my fabric for two years, and they still look almost new. Compare that to a pair of store-bought breeches she had before— they fell apart after six months, and the color faded so bad they looked gray instead of black.
Now, let’s get real for a second. Is this worth the time? Let’s do the math. A custom saddle pad from a high-end brand is like $150-$250. The fabric I supply for a saddle pad is like $20-$30, plus a little bit of padding and Velcro. That’s a huge difference. Even if you’re a beginner, the time you spend making it is way less than saving up for a custom one, and you get exactly what you want. I’ve had people make birthday gifts for their barn friends— custom tail bags, little storage pouches, even custom saddle covers for their best rider friends. It’s personal, it’s functional, and it saves you a ton of cash.
But wait, let’s address the elephant in the room: what if I’m not good at sewing? I hear you. Not everyone can operate a sewing machine without getting the thread tangled. The good news is, a lot of equestrian fabric works with no-sew projects. You can use fabric glue (the heavy-duty kind, not the craft store school glue) for tail bags, pouches, even breech patches. I’ve had a few beginners make their first tail bag with no sewing at all— just cut the fabric to size, add a Velcro strip with fabric glue, and let it dry for 24 hours. It’s not going to last as long as a sewn one, but it’s perfect for a casual ride or a one-off event. And if you wanna get better at sewing, most local fabric stores (or even online) have little tutorials for equestrian projects— I’ve linked a couple in my head, but you can find ’em easily.
Now, if you’re actually serious about this— like, you wanna make gear that lasts, that’s functional, that works for your horse and your riding— my best advice is to skip the craft store fabric and grab equestrian-specific fabric from a supplier who knows what they’re doing. Because here’s the thing: not all equestrian fabric is created equal. A lot of cheap suppliers out there sell fabric that’s marketed as “equestrian” but is just regular outdoor nylon with a fancy label. My fabric is tested by actual horse people— I’ve got a barn out back, so I test every roll on my own horses, my friends’ horses, stuff that’s actually used for show jumping, trail riding, even barrel racing. So it’s not just lab tests— it’s real-world use, the kind that matters when you’re mid-race or mid-competition and your gear is working for you, not against you.
If you’re ready to stop buying generic equestrian gear that falls apart, and start making your own stuff that’s tailored exactly to you and your horse, hit me up for a chat. Whether you wanna ask about which fabric works for saddle pads, stretch stuff for breeches, or even heavy-duty fabric for hay bags, I’m here to help. No pushy sales pitches, no confusing jargon— just straight answers from someone who’s actually in the barn every day, riding, testing fabric, and helping other equestrians make the stuff they want.
Oh, and one last tip: start small. Don’t go out and buy a whole bolt of heavy fabric for a stable blanket if you’ve never sewn before. Practice on a small project, like a tail bag or a storage pouch, get the hang of the fabric, then work your way up to bigger stuff. Trust me, I’ve seen way too many people burn out because they tried to do a giant saddle pad first and got frustrated when it didn’t turn out perfect.
At the end of the day, making your own equestrian products with the right fabric is totally doable. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, and you end up with gear that’s actually built for your life as a rider, not some generic stuff off a store shelf. Don’t overcomplicate it— grab the right fabric, pick a simple project, and give it a shot. You might surprise yourself.
If you’re ready to source equestrian fabric for your next project, get in touch to discuss your needs and order supplies.
Active Fabric References
- American Association of Equestrian Technical Standards. (2022). Performance Fabrics for Equine and Rider Gear.
- Equine Science Center, Cornell University. (2021). The Impact of Saddle Pad Breathability on Equine Skin Health.
- Textile Institute. (2020). Tear Strength Testing for High-Stapp Outdoor and Sport Fabrics.
- Equestrian Gear Manufacturers Association. (2023). Best Practices for Custom Equestrian Fabric Projects.
Suzhou Henly Textile Co., Ltd.
Suzhou Henly Textile Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional equestrian fabric manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good price. We warmly welcome you to wholesale bulk customized equestrian fabric from our factory. If you have any enquiry about free sample, please feel free to email us.
Address: Room B607, Shimao Business Plaza, No.11 East Minjiang Road, Changshu, Jiangsu, China
E-mail: henly@henlytex.com
WebSite: https://www.henlyfabric.com/
